Cat Care & Clinics Stillwater OK

Cats are relatively self-sufficient pets, but even they still have care needs—such as regular ear care, grooming (amount depends on the breed) and exercise—necessary to maintain optimal health and friskiness. Be sure to have all your cat’s vaccinations up to date and take them to a vet or pet clinic if there’s a persistent problem or their behavior is off. For more information on cat care or pet clinics, check below.

All about Feline Urological Syndrome

What Is Feline Urological Syndrome?

Urinary tract ailments are the most common reason your cat will have to visit a veterinarian, with the exception of routine checkups and shots. The most serious urinary syndrome is Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS), which is also sometimes known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (SLUTD). Although the exact cause of FUS is not completely understood, it encompasses four common disorders:

Urethral Blockage: Crystallization of minerals in the bladder plug up the urethra leading to blockage of urinary outflow. This is a life threatening condition.

Uremia: Buildup of toxins in your cat's blood stream when wastes are prevented from being eliminated due to a blocked urethra.

The most serious symptom of this feline medical problem is caused when small crystals made up of calcium and magnesium form in the bladder. Occasionally these crystals or stones will bass from the bladder to the urethra, which is the small tube through which urine passes on its way out of the cat. When the urethra is blocked, the situation can become critical very rapidly. If left untreated, a feline with a blocked urethra who is unable to urinate can die within 48 hours. If you have a cat who shows signs of painful urination (they will usually cry inside the litter box), or blood in the urine, your pet should be taken to the animal hospital for examination immediately.

What Are The Symptoms Of Feline Urological Syndrome?

Urination outside of the litter box

Any abnormal urinary habits

Blood in the urine

Crying or straining while trying to urinate

Enlarged or overly firm abdomen

FUS is a very serious feline health concern. There is no immunization that can prevent this disease, but diet and knowing the right kind of food to provide is a good first step towards your cat's urinary health. If your cat is prone to this disorder, he will probably start showing some of the first symptoms by the age of three. What should you do if your cat has been diagnosed with FUS to maintain long-term stability? There are a variety of canned commercial cat foods that can inhibit the formation of the Struvite crystals that can lead to blockage. Some vets say that canned food is a better prevention than dry, although this point is still being investigated.

What is known is that greater water consumption is beneficial towards preventing crystals and blockage. Many of the cat foods that promote urinary health contain a higher salt content so that your cat will want to drink more water. Overweight cats are at greater risk for FUS, so keeping your cat on a reduced calorie diet can be an important preventative measure as well.

What Is The Treatment For A Cat With FUS?

If your cat shows signs of FUS it will always be considered a medical emergency. A completely blocked urethra...

Foods and Plants that are Toxic for Cats

Every home contains hazards for cats, including ones that are seemingly benign. Here's a overview of the most common toxic foods and plants that may be lurking in your home presenting hazards for cats.

Foods That Are Poisonous To Cats

Alcoholic Beverages: These can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Baby Food Containing Onion Powder: Onions are toxic to cats. If you feed your cat baby food, read the label and make sure it does not contain onion powder. A steady baby food diet will result in nutritional deficiencies in your cat, so save it for treats, or to stimulate appetites in cats that are old or ill.

Bones From Fish, Poultry, Or Other Meat Sources: These can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Canned Tuna (For Human Consumption): Fed regularly, it can cause malnutrition, since it lacks proper feline nutrients, including taurine. Also, it can contain mercury, which can be detrimental to your cat's health over time.

Caffeine (From Chocolate, Coffee, Or Tea): Caffeine can affect the heart and nervous system and can be toxic.

Chocolate: In addition to caffeine, chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is toxic to pets. Theobromine is also present in cocoa bean mulch.

Potato, Rhubarb And Tomato Leaves And Stems, Green Tomatoes Or Potatoes: These foods are members of the family of plants which includes the Deadly Nightshade, and contain the poisonous alkaloid Glycoalkaloid Solanine, which can cause violent lower gastrointestinal problems.

Raw Eggs: Contain the enzyme avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may contain Salmonella....

How to Clean Your Cat's Ears

"Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you." Or maybe your cats won't come when they are called because they can't hear you. It is probably time to learn how to clean your cat's ears. Ear cleaning is an important part of your cat's grooming and overall health care. You can avoid some serious problems by learning how to clean your cat's ears or by having a vet or professional groomer do it for you.

Let's begin with a quick cat anatomy review, so you're familiar with all the parts of a cat's ear.

The Outer Ear: Also known as the pinna or ear flap. This is the visible part of the cat's ear and it is usually upright with a pointed tip. Some breeds are an exception, such as the Scottish Fold, which has a floppy ear.

Ear Canal: This is a two inch tube-shaped organ that leads to the eardrum. The eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane, is the essential part of the cat's hearing. The eardrum vibrates when it picks up sound.

Inner Ear: The part of the cat that's responsible for maintaining equilibrium and balance.

It's safe to assume that your cat is probably not going to look forward with joy to his ear cleaning episode. Following a few simple steps can make the process quicker and easier for both you and your pet. You do not need to clean your cat's ears constantly, but you should check them every other month and be aware of symptoms that might indicate problems with your cat's ear health. The most common problem for cats is a parasitic infestation from ear mites. If you notice your cat scratching his ears excessively or shaking his head, this may be a sign of ear mites or another type of ear infection. A trip to the vet will be necessary.

Supplies You Will Need For Cat Ear Cleaning:

Ear cleaning solution

Cotton balls or swabs

Warm water

A plastic eyedropper

Large towel for swaddling a nervous, squirming cat

Step-By-Step For Easy Ear Cleaning:

Always have your veterinarian examine your cat's ears first before you attempt to clean them yourself.

Clean the ear with a ceruminolytic (de-waxing) agent. Ear cleaning solutions for a cat can be found at any pet store.

Hold the cat in your lap swaddled in a towel

Fold the cat's ear back so that the ear canal is accessible

Fill the ear with de-waxer solution and massage the ear gently

Release your cat for about five minutes giving him time to shake his head.

The solution will help loosen any wax so you can remove it more easily. You probably want to have all the doors to the room closed, as the first reaction your cat is going to have once you release him is to take off.

Wipe the inside of your cat's ear with gauze or a cotton swab

Never used a cotton tipped applicator! (Q-Tip). You may accidentally puncture your cat's ear drum with this type of tool, so it is much safer to stick to cotton swabs.

If you have never cleaned your cat's ears, you should be observant of symptoms that may indicate an ear mite inf...

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